Gudgodah
Gudgodah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Negev in modern-day Israel. Known today as Wadi Khadakhid. It appears across 3 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Gudgodah was a stopping place along the Israelites' wilderness journey following the Exodus from Egypt. It appears in Numbers 33:32–33 as Hor-haggidgad in the itinerary of campsites, and again in Deuteronomy 10:7, where Moses recounts the wilderness wanderings: "From Beeroth Bene-jaakan they traveled to Moserah. Aaron died there and was buried there... From there they traveled to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of streams of water." The site thus formed part of the extended sojourn through the Sinai wilderness, during which Israel received the law, experienced divine judgment, and was shaped as a covenant people. The mention of "streams of water" at the nearby Jotbathah suggests this region of the Negev provided a welcome relief from the harsh desert terrain. Gudgodah's significance lies not in any single dramatic event but in its place within the forty years of divine guidance and formation that prepared Israel for Canaan.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Gudgodah is tentatively identified with Wadi Khadakhid (also rendered Khadakhid or Hudhaydhat) in the Negev region of modern Israel, located in the general vicinity of the southern Sinai route. The identification remains uncertain, as many wilderness campsites mentioned in Numbers 33 are difficult to pinpoint with precision. Survey work in the Negev and northern Sinai has identified various ancient campsite locations and caravan routes, but no definitive archaeological confirmation of Gudgodah has emerged. The region does show evidence of ancient nomadic activity consistent with Bronze Age pastoral movements. Scholars continue to debate the precise route of the Exodus wanderings, which affects the placement of all associated campsites.
Verse Appearances (3)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →